Permutation lock



Oct. 27,1925. F. HomKN/f- PERHUTATION LOCK F1169* May 2. 1921 CJDPatented Oct. 27, 1925.

UNITED STATES PATENT lorrici's.

FRANK HORAK, OF VALPARAISO, INDIANA, ASSIGNOR 0F ONE-HALF TO MAX`HIRSCH, OF VALPARAISO, INDIANA.

PERMUTATION Loox.

viippiicaumi aiea'iviay e, 1921. serial No. 466,289.

To all fio/0m 'it amg/ concern.' K

Be it known that l., F RANK Hoi'iiin, a cit1- zen ot the United States,residing at Val` paraiso, in the county ot' Porter and State `ofIndiana, have invented certainneiv and useful Improvements inPermut-ation Locks,

ot which the 'following'is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in permutation .locks and it moreA,especially comprises the teaturespoiiited out in the annexed claims.

The purpose of my.1`nventio n 1s toV provide a non-pickable lock .inWhich. tliekey is per#` manently enclosed in the lock; that can belockedthrough the pressure ot a single but ton; that is a truepermutation lock, the` combination of Which is only known to the ownerthat. provides an unlocking member havingl no notches, grooves orspecial torina'- tions, of any kind Whatever, thereon; and that can beapplied to automobiles, steering Wheels, vaults, .door-locks etc., asmay be desired,

lVith these and other purposesin view, I illustrate in theaccompayning.drawing such instances of adaptation as Will disclose thebroad underlying features Without limiting myself to the specilicdetails shown Ithereon or describedlierein.

F igure 1 is a longitudinal elevation in sec-` tion showing the partsstill locked, With the key in permissive position and the unlocking`member ready to complete the unlocking' operation. Fig. 2 is aviewsimilar' to Fig. 1 showing` the key in its obstructing position, thelockingY parts locked and thevtuniblers dispersed. Fig. 3 is a crosssection on line 3 3 ot Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a detachable ypla-n view ofthej lockingI part. y

Fig. 5 is an elevation in section ofthe locking parts unlocked.

Fig. is a cross sectional elevation ot enclosed indicatino' notches,used as analterna.`

tire to the visib e graduations of the dial.

'lhe exemplilication shown in the drawingv is suggestive of anapplica-tion that can be made ot the invention, as a safety `feature onautomobiles to prevent theft, butthis special feature ot adaptation issubject to inoditica-- tion according` to the exigencies of variouspractical requirements.

in its broadest aspect this invention is not limited to the specilieembodiment instanced in the'ydrawing, but maybe applied to anypurpose to which it can be adapted. For instance `the housing or casting`1 may beot any desired form dependent on the special use to which thelock is toy be applied. In any suitable housing a cylindrical or othershaped casing 2 is seated, wherein it is heldv bya'liardened pin`3,instead 'of aneasily'removable screw. @ver sucha pin aycertification-platea may be placedtocover theloca tion fot the pin. Thepin 3 isplaced inposition so "as to tit tightly and it is then smoothed' ottflush with the 'liousi'ngt At vthe outer endof'the casing; 2 a tumblermanipulating cap 11 is placed, and the inner end ot the casing,` hasVformed thereon aupillar 5 that meets a shoulder which becomes adistancing stop serving to determine the inward position ot the casing 2inthe housing 1. ik cross bolt lconstitutes the secondary lockingfeature. It is actuated at right angles to theA casing 2" and iscontrolled `by a push button .58 so as `to lock, Aand by the mechanismwithin thecasing to unlock the primaryboltfl by tliesimple `pressure ofa button 5001i the outside of the cap 11 after the interior mechanismhasbeenplaced in a permissive relation through the manipulation of the capor dial.

The casing 2 hasalarge chamber' 7 which terminatesin a shoulder 9, and ashallmvref cess 6" at the other end. 'Asma-ller' diameter opening 8joins the recessG and the chamber 7, between the recess shoulder 1()`and the chamber `shoulder 9. The chamber 7 is closed by the cap 1l thathas a tubular tension 15 Which surrounds a recess 33 that ends in ashoulder against Whichthe large end Stof the key spindle abuts. A flange12 is a part of the cap 11. It contains the" graduations 13 by meansofwhich the sucrcessive positions of the permutation t-ui'i'iblers aredetermined` when the cap is moved to and 'ro by the knurledhead 14,-.This cap is held `in place Lbyan are shaped latch 1G inserted in a slotof the casing,` as shown in F igs. 1 and 3. Tlie'latch 16 projectsthrough the casing' so as to enter the circumferential groove 17formedin the tubular part 15 ot the cap and it thus holds the cap `inplace in the casing against endwise displacement, but free to berotated-in the chamber T.

`A key notch 19 is termed at the inner end of the part 15, into which aprojection e?) ot the key 3T may'pass to lock the cap during the timethe key is in permissive position to admit an unlocking pin 47 to bemoved alongside the unnotched edge of the key 37 so as to actuate theprimary bolt 61 whenever the thumb button 50 of pin 47 is pressed as faras the flange 49 permits it to movek until this liange engages the head14. The tube-end has a pin 20, which serves to pick up the iirst tumbler21 during the working of the combination. Flange 12 may be seated in arecess 18 ot the housing and a Zero or starting line may be marked onthe housing adjacent the dial 13, in any well known manner.

The key-holding spindle has a large diameter end 34, that seats in therecess 33 of the cap; and a small diameter end which rests in the bore8. At this portion of the spindle, a pin 36 is .placed to hold itpermanently connected to the casing 2. The spindle has a slight shoulder31 that forms an abutment, against which the tumbler separating washer28 is ixed by pressure or otherwise; a second shoulder 32 is formed bythe large end-34 of the spindle. On the portion of the spindle betweenthe washer; 28 and the shoulder 32, the first tumbler 21 has freemovement; and between the washer 28 and the shoulder 9, the secondtumbler, 24, also has Free movement.

A key 37 is permanently venclosed within the look as shown in Fig. 1. Itis a flat key and straight along one edge. On the other edge, there is anotch 39 against which 7 springs 40 abut between the'curved front end38, engaged by the rounded end 48 of the pin 47, and the side projection43 adapted to enter the notch 19 as the key is pressed sidewise againstthe pressure of springs whenever the smooth pin 47 is moved past thekey. Beyond the projection 43, at 44 within range of the tumblers 21 and24, the key has no notches whatever until the end is reached. Here anotch y45 is formed leaving a toe 46 at the inner extremity of the key.The key has a radial and slight lengthwise movement in the slot 35`formed from end to end of the spindle. This slot extends radially Jfroma hole formed in the center o1' the spindle, which is approximately ofthe same diameter as that of the pin 47, the bottom of the slot beingone side or' such hole which is permanently aligned with an entrancehole formed through the cap 11. Half round recesses 42 are formed in theside walls of slot 35 for springs 40, and a spring plate 41 is placedbetween the springs and the inside of the cap 11.

Each of the tumblers 21 and 24, and the washer 28, have openings intowhich the spindle is placed. The first tumbler 21 has a key notch 22which opens into its central hole, and the second tumbler 24 has asimilar notch 27, while the washer 28 also has a lrey notch 29 that ispermanently aligned with the key slot 35 of the spindle. The secondtumbler may have a hub 25 it found desirable. Both of the tumblers havepick up pins, on tumbler 21 a pin 23 projects from both faces, and ontumbler 24 a pin '26 is placed, facing the first tumbler. The

action of tumblers and pins is well known, nevertheless it is well todescribe their interaction. The pin 2() of cap 11 engages the pin 23 andthis in turn acts against pin 245, thus through a series of right andkleft movements all the key slots 19, 22 and 27 will be brought oppositethe key slot 35 olf the spindle, ready to have the key 37 moved radiallyinto them so as to permit the unlocking pin 47 to pass through thespindle into engagement with the pin 63 of the primary bolt 61.

The first thing to do in setting the lock so that the primary bolt 61can be undone, 1s to bring all the key slots into line, then insert thepin 47 into the small hole of the cap until its rounded end 48 engagesthe curved end 38 of the key, at which time the key will be pushedendwise a slight amount to more easily let the pin pass under it.4

The notch 45 at the end of the key, may engage shoulder 9 and preventthe key pro'- jection 43 moving out of notch 19 and into too closeengagement with the first tumbler 21. This endwise movenrent pushesV theprimary bolt a short distance in its course as shown in Fig. 1. On thewithdrawal of the pin 47 and a pressure on the secondary bolt 51, thebolt 61 is again pushed into its full locking position by the spring 62at which time the short pin 63, projecting from the bodyv 59 of thebolt, pushes the key 37 to the end of the slot 35, until its curved end38 engages the inside of the cap 11 against the spindle recess 33 readyfor a repeat operation.

The secondary bolt 51 has a locking end 52 that may enter an openingthat needs to be locked, the instance in Fig. 1 shows a steering wheeltube but this may be any other object. This bolt 51 slides in an opening54 of the housing. It is cut away at 55 on one side to form shoulders.The locking end 52 is smaller in diameter than the body of the bolt soas to pass through a coil spring 53 which pushes the secondary bolt intoits unlocked position as soon as the primary bolt 61 has been movedendwise by the pin 47 So that the neck 60 will permit the narrow slot 57to engage it. Vhen this occurs the upper edge of the head ot the primarybolt 61 willenga-ge the under flartened side 68 of the narrow slot whereit remains subject to the tension or' the spring 62 until it is desiredto lock the car, or whatever object to which the device is applied. bysimply pressing on the end 58 of the bolt 51 to cause the end 52 tocomplete the locking operation. This permits the spring iistegei's 62 tomove the'primary bolt' toward the key and bring the head '611 into the'larger slot 56, effectively holding the secondary bolt 5I againstmovement until such time as the primary bolt is again pressed againstthe spring 62 by the unlocking key` 37.

It Will be noted that the actual unlocking is done by means of the smalldiameter pin 47 which has no notches, grooves or contigurations of anykind whatever. This makes it impossible to pick the lock as thepeiinanently enclosed key 37 iills the slot 35 of the spindle,completely hiding the tuinblers so that they cannot be manipulated bybent wires, etc. Then the tuinblers are dispersed the key cannot bemoved from its obstructive into a permissive position until the propercombination has been executed.

Should it be desirable to utilize audible clicks, instead of dependingon the visual graduations 13, the expedient instaiiced in Fig. 6 may beemployed. At any available part of the cap tube 15 a series ofcircuniterential V-shaped notches 6a may be cut. A zero or startingnotch 67 may be made deeper so as to, in this or any other way, indicatethe starting point for the cap ll. The audible or digital indicationsare given by the spring pressed detent 65 which is suitably secured in arecess or groove 66 o'll the casing. This deteiit may be oil very simpleWell-known construction comprising only al narrow flat spring with aV-shaped bend at its free end or a similar V-shaped block G5 secured tosuch end, both ot which are well understood.expedients.

IVhat I claim is:

l. In permutation locks, a suitable housing, a plu ality of revolvabledisks therein, each disk having a central opening therethrough and aradial notch formed in the periphery of the opening, a slotted spindlewithin the housing passing through the openings, a .rotatable dialed capsecured in the housing to enclose the spindle, a spring pressed keypern'ianently located in the slot ot' the spindle, means for actuatingthe disks through a movement oi the cap to bring the internal notchesot' all the disks in line opposite the key, and means for moving the keyradially into said notches and thereby perform an unlocking operation bysaid means.

2. In permutation locks1 a self-contained housing, a spindle having anopening therethrough lengthwise thereof and a continuous radial slotconnected with the opening, a notched key permanently located in theslot, and inea-ns external of the housing for selectively holding thekey in a permissive or obstructive position within the spindle opening.

Il. In pern'iutation locks, a cylindrical housing having a large chambertherein, a smaller bore outlet from the chamber, a rotatable ca "closingthe chamber, a stationary spindle wit-hin the cap and the bore, a radialslotthrou'ghout the length. of tliespindle one or more permutable andinterdependent tumblers withiiitlie chamber `said tumblers and capihaving internal notches ali'gnable with the slot in the` spindle, meansonfth'ei cap to actuate the tuinblers, a spring pressed passing throughthe spindle slot in contact.

with the key.

l. In permutation locks, a plurality of intei-dependent permutablemembers enclosed in a suitable housing, means accessible from theexterior of the housing for actuating the members, a slotted spindlehaving a lengthwise opening located within the members, a permanentlyenclosed notched key within the spindle slot, and means forautomatically moving the key radially into a changed position in theslot and said openingthrough a selective positional change of saidmembers.

5. In permutation locks, a. self contained housing, a radially movablenotched key, a spindle provided with a continuous radially positionedslot for the key and having an opening lengthwise thereof incommunication with said slot, and external means for selectivelycontrolling the movement of the key at will to thereby change itsposition with the spindle slot from an obstructive to a permissiveposition in the opening.

6. In permutation locks, a casing, a cap therefor, a spindle therein, alengthwise slot of thev spindle, one or more members having internalnotches rotatable on thespindle, a key permanently enclosed in thecasing and adapted to normally keep said slot closed, means external ofthe casing for selectively actuating the members in sequential relationso as toV permit a movement ot' the key to clear a part of the slot, andcxternal means adapted to lill such cleared space and have free passagetherethrough while the key is positioned to hold all the members againstmovement until such eX- ternal means is removed and the key isautomatically withdrawn from engagement with the members and replacedwithin the slot of the spindle.

F.In permutation locks, a self-contained housing, a plurality oit'permutation members in the housing, a spindle within said members, alengthwise opening through the spindle, a radial continuous slot in thespindle communicating with the opening, a notched key slidable in theslot adapted to normally close the opening, and cooperating .meansbetweenthe key and the permutation members adapted to perinissivelyclear the spindle opening or obstruct the same as desired. i

8. In permutation locks, a self-contained housing, a rotatable spindleplaced Within the housing and terminating exterior thereof, apermanently positioned key located in the spindle, a bolt adjacent theinterior end or' the spindle, Iexternal'means for selectivelycontrolling the movement of the key to permit or obstruct the operationof the bolt 10 from the exterior of the spindle through a change inposition of the key enclosed in the spindle.

In testimony Whereol I alix my signature.

FRANK I'IORAK.`

